Aythorpe Roding ended the T-Rippon Mid-Essex League Premier Division season on a winning note against Rainham to finish third in the final table in their first year back in the top flight.

Vice-captain Richard Eaton put the visitors into bat after winning the toss and saw Andy Clarke (3-38), Neil Culleton (3-43), Jack Stevens (2-33) and Graham Milbank combine with the ball to share the wickets and dismiss them for 161 in 30 overs.

Sid Patel (68) fought a lonely battle for Rainham, as Jon O’Neill (39) chipped in, but Aythorpe slipped to 78-5 in reply with Stevens (31) the only batsman to make an impact.

Former Essex staffer Clarke came to the rescue, though, with a vital innings of 68, hitting a six and 11 fours along the way.

And Milbank weighed in with 38 to see Aythorpe to a three-wicket win in the 40th over, as Biren Patel (3-36) proved the pick of the Rainham bowling.